ALLISON BACKES/JEFF BLACK

• YOUNGSTOWN — On Aug. 31 Jeff Black and Allison Backes were united in marriage at 5:30 p.m. in the Christman Room at Stambaugh Auditorium, where they were honored at a reception after the ceremony.

Dr. Paul Conn of Lee University in Tennessee officiated for the daughter of Bob and Joanne Backes of Wendemere Drive, Hubbard, and the son of Sam Black and Linda Black, both of Middletown.

Following a honeymoon at St. Lucia, they live in Middletown.

Pearls, rhinestones and sequins embellished the off-the-shoulder neckline, dropped waist, and cathedral train of the bride’s ivory Italian satin gown.

A black gown was worn by the honor attendant, Bonnie Shumaker of Marysville.

Best man was the groom’s brother, Shawn Black of King, N.C., and the usher was the bride’s brother, Matthew Backes of Hubbard.

Mrs. Black graduated from Ohio State University in Columbus with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She is an operations coordinator with World Energy in Dublin.

Mr. Black served with the U.S. Airforce JAG at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, and at Goodfellow Air Force Base in Texas. A graduate of Lee University with a bachelor’s in accounting, and from Pepperdine College in Malibu, Calif, with a juris doctorate and master’s in business administration, he received a master of law degree from Boston University. He is a manager in purchasing at AK Steel in Westchester.